Lee Bell says Welsh goalkeeper is like a sponge who is often the last to leave the training ground in his quest to improve.

Lee Bell says that the battle to be Crewe Alexandra’s number one this season has spurred David Richards to another level.

The Welshman has worked extremely hard to displace Will Jaaskelainen as the club’s number one this season and his recent form has won him many plaudits despite our struggles in League One.

Richards, 28, has made 33 appearances in all competitions during the campaign and the club’s interim assistant manager, says that the competition has benefitted both goalkeepers.

Bell told the club’s official website: “Firstly, we have two good goalkeepers and they are good lads. They work hard every day and push each other and that is what you want for every position. They do their extras and want to improve and get better and that is what being a professional is all about in my book.

“Dave is like a sponge. He is here all the time. He is the last to leave. He has got stronger, he has assessed his diet and all credit to him.

“When you work as hard as he does every day then you are sure to be rewarded and he has been with the number of games he has played this season.

“It hasn’t just been his most recent performances either. We are not talking about just his saves in the last two games; his performances leading up to this have been very good as well.

“Now he knows that he has to become even more consistent but there is no-one here who wants to improve and get better than Dave. He can take constructive criticism on board and goes out and practices.

“Dave’s next objective is to maintain being number 1 at this club.”